Zapadnaya Litsa | fjord, губа (ru)

 fjord, губа (ru)

Zapadnaya Litsa is the largest and most important Russian naval base built for of the Northern Fleet. The base is located far in the north of Russia, on the Litsa Fjord at the westernmost point of the Kola Peninsula. It is about 45 kilometres close to the Norwegian border.

The Zapadnaya Litsa Naval Base includes four naval facilities: Malaya Lopatka was the first being built and the homeport of the later famous Soviet submarine K-3. Others are Andreyeva Bay, Bolshaya Lopatka, and Nerpichya.

In 1958 a settlement was formed close to the first naval base, which was called Zaozerny village. Zaozyorsk was kept secret and had several different names. It is situated in 120 кm from Murmansk. Severe climate with changeable temperatures and strong winds, long Polar Night in winter (about 43 days) make it an unhabitable place. A lot of rivers, streams and lakes, rocky ground and swamps characterize the very remoteness of this area.

Today the whole Zapanaya Litsa region is a main concern due to its widespread radioactive waste deposits.